One of the things that kept Shareology alive during the Winter of Discontent was the strolling between windows of one of the best merchandised shopping centers in the Twin Cities. Rhoda Morgenstern would have died to have created these beautiful windows:

Shareology has not been in Galleria in Edina, Minnesota in ages — ah, for the days of excitement leading up to the Louis Vuitton opening!! Frankly, rain (monsoon!!!) drove her inside and what did she discover? A hot new shop soon to open, black and white all over and the perfect LBD!

Let’s start with the new shop: Eileen Fisher is coming to Galleria!! Shareology is not a big designer label consumer; however, she has two Eileen Fischer jackets she loooooves. Look what Shareology found one rainy Edina day:

Eileen Fisher coming to Galleria!

Next fall trend? Black and white, more black and white: Halston would be so proud! Although he liked a little red with his black and white.

BCBGMAXAZRIA rocks black and white for Fall!

What really stopped Shareology in her tracks was the perfect LBD. Now Arafina is a regular stop; the windows are perfect for dreaming:

Like this:

Shareology was on her way to coffee at Good Earth in Galleria once again on Friday. You might remember that coffee at Good Earth consists of yogurt with raspberries and kiwis…… One of the delights of Galleria is the indoor walking and eye candy combination. Now the two Tiffany windows are probably on the top of the eye candy list. But on the other side of Galleria, Arafina manages to pull off glorious gown color combinations. Shareology always stops to see what colors are bouncing off each other. Friday there were no colors…(Halston did decree that the primarys are black, white and red….)

What was in the window was the most wonderful princess dress Shareology has seen in a long, long while. Too bad there are no inaugural balls in DC to attend this year. (Last year, one local lady did buy her dress at Arafina before flying off to her ball.)

Below is sheer eye candy to perk up your winter blahs. P.S. Black and white is a trend that just will not die.

Shareology always thought “pearl encrusted bodice” was one of those really over the top descriptions of something that anyone could easily live without. But the pearls on this dress just elevate it to heavenly. Maybe Shareology has a Barbie doll tucked away in a closet that needs a new dress.

UPDATE February 2, 2010:

Shareology couldn’t resist one more look at “the dress”….. To justify what has become an obession, she popped in to Arafina and asked “Who IS the designer?”

The black short cocktail dress is by Robert Rodriguez. Next to it, the magic tulle gown is by Jovani.